Chapter 458: Xuan Ya Enters the Heavens, Shou Visits Jade Spring

Li Changshou was suddenly summoned to Taiqing Guan to study the Dao for three years... well, to study the Dao.

All the various affairs he had on hand were simply postponed for three years.

This didn't have a major impact, as Li Changshou had always factored in sufficient 'preparation' phases in his plans, and there weren't any particularly urgent matters before.

What touched Li Changshou a little was that Youqin Xuanya had packed her belongings and waited for three years without asking a single question at Xiaoqiong Peak, all while anticipating his message to ascend to the Heavenly Court.

Although he had 'harmoniously interacted' with the Saint for three years, leaving him physically and mentally exhausted with his spiritual power nearly depleted...

— Maintaining such high-intensity vigilance was more taxing than multitasking!

But when Ling'e mentioned this, Li Changshou perked up, took Ling'e with him to Heichi Peak, and brought Youqin Xuanya there as well.

The dozens of large bronze mirrors that Li Changshou had set up across Dongsheng Shenzhou had been repeatedly broadcasting the same 'short recording' for three years, and they could finally switch to the next segment...

To his surprise, Zhao Gongming had left.

After freeloading for so many years, Zhao Gongming seemed to feel a bit embarrassed and bid farewell last year, saying he wanted to wander around the Western side.

Zhao Gongming was just casually strolling around for now, with no intention of resuming his old ways.

Li Changshou felt relatively at ease about this.

Currently, the situation in the great calamity was still unclear, and Zhao Gongming had the entire Daoist sect behind him, with a solid backing.

This was different from a Saint personally scheming against mortals; Zhao Gongming was backed by the Tongtian Jiaozhu in his prime, alongside Yuan Shi Tianzun and Taiqing Laoshi standing together.

As soon as Li Changshou and Ling'e landed by the pool on Heichi Peak, Ling'e held up the treasure vase and called out with a smile:

“Mr. Bai, look! My senior brother gave this to me!”

“Oh?”

Bai Ze's mouth twitched slightly as he said seriously to Li Changshou, “A spiritual treasure refined from such innate materials is considered a rare treasure in this era. Don't let Ling'e show it off outside; she hasn't even achieved immortality yet.”

Li Changshou laughed and said, “Mr. Bai, sense it carefully.”

“Hmm? The Dao rhythm of Taiqing Saint... This?”

“It's a gift from the teacher,” Li Changshou said with a smile, “to serve as protection for Ling'e.”

Ling'e blinked and whispered, “It seems the Saint has also accepted me as a nominal disciple.”

“That's right,” Li Changshou said seriously, “I almost forgot. Remember to pay respects at the teacher's portrait later.”

Bai Ze opened his mouth, silently twirled his beard, his eyes full of weariness.

Ling'e and Li Changshou exchanged glances, and the senior brother and sister both chuckled. The former put away the treasure vase, not intending to show it to outsiders easily.

She understood very well that her own aptitude and comprehension were far from enough to be chosen by a Saint; she didn't even have the opportunity to listen to a Saint's lecture on the Dao.

Being acknowledged as a nominal disciple by the Saint was merely due to her senior brother's influence, adding an extra layer of protection, so she didn't take it too seriously.

Li Changshou was unaware that...

As long as her senior brother's true body didn't go out, she actually didn't lack a sense of security.

Before long, a streak of water-blue light flew from Potian Peak—it was Youqin Xuanya, who had been waiting for quite some time.

She landed and bowed with her fists clasped, her beautiful eyes filled with a hint of expectation.

“Senior Brother Changshou, Mr. Bai, Junior Sister Ling'e.”

“I was delayed by some urgent matters earlier, so I hope you won't hold it against me,” Li Changshou said, his eyes showing a touch of regret.

Youqin Xuanya smiled softly and said, “Senior Brother, you have so many affairs to handle; there's no need to explain to me. I understand.”

This, she could indeed understand.

After years of training to overcome her chuunibyou tendencies—cough, years of training for the super heavenly soldiers—Youqin Xuanya's intensity had toned down considerably.

Li Changshou said seriously, “Are you ready now?

Once you go, you'll quickly become a banner for the Heavenly Court. Your cultivation might advance rapidly, and the attention you receive will exceed that of ordinary immortals and gods by a hundredfold.

But you must not lose your beliefs;

What you pursue is always the justice in your heart. The path of righteousness is arduous, balance among all beings must be maintained, and every living creature deserves the right to survive in the world.

Some may say your persistence is naive and impractical, but you will use the sword in your hand to show them that failing to act on these things, failing to uphold the order of heaven and earth, and failing to speak out for justice is nothing but indulgence of evil desires!

Even if you're not the top expert in the world, you must be a beam of light, illuminating the walls that confine all beings!”

Youqin Xuanya's fair face glowed, her flawless skin seeming to radiate a holy light.

She nodded solemnly, her ponytail swaying gently behind her.

“Senior Brother, I'm ready!”

Ling'e blinked beside them, feeling that her senior brother's words were... incredibly impressive.

Bai Ze couldn't help but mutter,

“I always feel that if you, Water God, were to become a villain, you could turn the world upside down and still have a group of followers swearing loyalty to you.”

Li Changshou chuckled and said, “In this world, some villains are evil by nature, while others are just a matter of differing views.

Xuanya, let's head to the Heavenly Court now... Mr. Bai, I appreciate your help.”

“It's my duty,” Bai Ze replied from the side, his form transforming into that of an auspicious beast amid swirling rays of light.

Li Changshou snapped his fingers and said, “Switch to the content of the fifth recording set.

Xuanya, you've just come out of a fierce battle. Your immortal power is depleted, your long skirt is stained with blood, and Mr. Bai is personally escorting you to the East Heaven Gate.

My incarnation is already waiting in the Heavenly Court.

Ling'e, go get some spirit beast blood. Mr. Bai, simulate some demon beast auras and wrap them around Xuanya.”

“Okay!”

“Water God, rest assured.”

At once, the three of them and the beast busied themselves.

Youqin Xuanya released her immortal power into the nearby pool, quickly depleting her own energy.

Soon, Ling'e brought the spirit beast blood, and Bai Ze mixed in the demon beast auras, applying a simple special effect makeup to Youqin Xuanya.

Before long, Youqin Xuanya's hair was disheveled, her long skirt torn, her crystalline skin covered in dust, and her face full of exhaustion.

When she shouldered her Fire Scale Sword Box, she truly caught the eye.

Ling'e whispered in admiration, “Senior Sister Youqin is so beautiful... that indescribable feeling.”

Youqin Xuanya smiled a bit shyly, and even Li Changshou, watching from the side, felt his dao heart stir slightly.

This stir was probably about 0.35 percent, prompting Li Changshou to reflect and sigh at his unsteady dao heart.

Ling'e asked quietly, “Senior Brother, if Senior Sister Youqin goes to the Heavenly Court like this, won't she be suspected?”

Li Changshou laughed and said,

“Duxian Men is originally under the Human Teachings' lineage. Although there are now too many anomalies, with the teacher's protection and Mr. Bai guarding the place, Duxian Men is relatively stable.

Moreover, with the great calamity descending and divination ineffective, as long as Xuanya doesn't mention her own lineage background later, the risk of exposure won't be too high.”

Bai Ze added with a smile,

“A clever scheme often considers how much the enemy knows, rather than how much you know yourself.”

Ling'e grew even more puzzled.

Li Changshou said, “Imagine riding a cloud high above and overlooking all of Xiaoqiong Peak—would that be the same as standing by the lake at Xiaoqiong Peak and gazing around?”

“Oh! I get it!”

Ling'e clenched her left fist and lightly tapped her right palm. “Senior Brother, I understand now.”

A certain auspicious beast pawed the ground with its hoof and snorted lightly.

Then, a very serious question arose for this temporary team.

“Senior Brother,” Youqin Xuanya asked with some hesitation, “Should I pretend to be unconscious and be carried by Mr. Bai with his immortal power, or lie on Mr. Bai's back?”

Bai Ze, now in the form of an auspicious beast, added, “Or perhaps I could carry her by the hilt of her sword with my mouth?”

“Let's try them all and see which looks best.”

In the end, Youqin Xuanya lay on a cloud, with Bai Ze using immortal power to form ropes and pull the cloud toward the East Heaven Gate.

Li Changshou acted simultaneously, switching the promotional short to the fifth episode ahead of schedule and adding this segment to the Heavenly Court's bronze mirror broadcast system for continuous playback.

The recording showed:

Youqin Xuanya battling dozens of ferocious demons, every move heroic and powerful, her great sword invincible—when extended, it turned into streaks of flowing light; when retracted, it became a several-zhang-long giant blade.

In every frame, Youqin Xuanya fully displayed her heroic spirit, sharpness, feminine grace, and unyielding strength.

After all, they had filmed for over a month...

Finally, Youqin Xuanya leaned on her great sword, staggering out of a mountain of corpses and sea of blood, collapsing weakly to the ground.

Her finger pointed forward as she struggled to lift her head, her eyes burning with hope.

A ray of sunlight fell on her, and even as blood flowed from her wounds, it streamed toward the direction she pointed...

“I must... keep going.”

Then, she completely lost consciousness.

At the end of the scene, a light blue water curtain flew in from the horizon, accompanied by tinkling sounds. A sleek, elegant auspicious beast stepped on rings of seven-colored halos and slowly approached...

At that moment, the unconscious Youqin Xuanya seemed to step out of the recording, appearing on the white cloud, carried by Bai Ze to the East Heaven Gate.

As soon as Bai Ze's figure appeared at the end of the cloud path, the heavenly soldiers and generals on guard perked up.

One heavenly general glanced at his bronze mirror, then looked up at the horizon. His immortal sense quickly detected the female immortal floating behind Bai Ze, and he shouted:

“Quick! Report to Tongming Hall!”

Youqin Xuanya's entry into the Heavenly Court went smoothly.

With Bai Ze's reputation, Li Changshou's prior hype, and Bai Ze pausing at the East Heaven Gate to place Youqin Xuanya in front while saying:

“The heavenly general that Water God seeks has been delivered here.”

Bai Ze then departed gracefully. Youqin Xuanya lay on the cloud, enveloped in seven-colored halos, cradling her great sword.

Many immortals and gods heard the news and came over. Li Changshou set out from the Water God Mansion, rode the clouds to the East Heaven Gate, and in front of the heavenly soldiers, generals, and crowd of immortals and gods, took Youqin Xuanya back to the Water God Mansion.

Long Ji heard the news and came with healing pills;

Mu Gong heard the news and asked Li Changshou what had happened, mentioning that the Jade Emperor would soon summon this fairy who had tirelessly fought demons.

Bian Zhuang heard the news and came, but was knocked out by Ao Yi and thrown into the Tianhe River for a soak.

Li Changshou entrusted Long Ji to care for Youqin Xuanya, then returned to his study, ordered the mansion gates closed, declined visits from outsiders, and steadily advanced the next phase of his plan.

With this step secured, the rest would be much simpler.

Li Changshou rested for half a day to recover some of the mental energy he had expended at Taiqing Guan, then activated that Human Teachings' small paper effigy mage type, which had been hidden underground for three years.

He needed to visit Yu Ding Zhenren, and for safety's sake, Li Changshou had to see with his own eyes the path Yang Jian was on.

Rising on clouds was nothing special; he took the road to Yuquan Mountain to seek Jinxia.

This Yuquan Mountain wasn't far from Taiyi Zhenren's Qianyuan Mountain and was nestled among several immortal factions.

However, Yu Ding Zhenren wasn't as ostentatious as Taiyi Zhenren, who boldly warned others not to intrude on Qianyuan Mountain. Yu Ding simply sealed Yuquan Mountain with arrays, making it impossible for outsiders to probe or sense.

As Li Changshou arrived on clouds, Yu Ding Zhenren had already noticed. The outer layer of the Yuquan Mountain array formed a misty gate, and a gentle voice reached Li Changshou's ears:

“Changgeng, please enter.”

Li Changshou nodded slowly and carefully entered the mist. When he emerged, he was in front of a cave dwelling.

Yu Ding Zhenren, dressed in a green robe, bowed to Li Changshou, who quickly returned the gesture.

At that moment, another figure in a red robe emerged from the cave. This immortal smiled and said:

“Oh, isn't this the great enemy of Yu Ding's disciple?”

Li Changshou's forehead was covered in black lines, but Yu Ding frowned and said, “Don't joke about this.”

“Yes, yes,” Taiyi Zhenren shrugged. “Just kidding. Changgeng must have his reasons for everything.”

Li Changshou sighed and asked, “Have you two informed Yang Jian of the truth?”

“Not yet,” Yu Ding Zhenren said. “My disciple hasn't mentioned it, and I haven't explained it to him.

Are you here for this matter, Changgeng Shidi?”

“Indeed,” Li Changshou said, his immortal sense detecting Yang Jian cultivating in the back mountain.

Yang Jian had grown taller, with dense spiritual mist around him—his cultivation progress was truly astonishing.

Li Changshou continued, “I'm here to urge you two Shixiong not to let Yang Jian know the truth.”

“Why?” Yu Ding Zhenren asked, slightly puzzled.

“This involves my schemes, and I don't want to feed you empty words or say something like worrying that Yang Jian might seek trouble with the Western Teachings, which would be like striking a rock with an egg.

My goal is to cultivate a fierce general for the Heavenly Court.”

Li Changshou's gaze was straightforward. “The Western Saint schemed in this matter to create opposition between Chan Jiao and the Heavenly Court.

I have full preparations to resolve this grudge and prevent Yang Jian from being used by the Western side.

Yang Jian is inherently the Jade Emperor's nephew, destined to become a divine general in the Heavenly Court. His entry into Yu Ding Shixiong's discipleship is also his destined fortune.”

Taiyi Zhenren suddenly realized, “So, you want Yang Jian to cultivate through obsession?”

“Exactly,” Li Changshou said, looking at Yu Ding Zhenren with a smile. “Shixiong, have you checked how well the Eighty-Nine Arcane Art suits Yang Jian?”

Yu Ding Zhenren pondered for a moment and replied, “It fits perfectly.”

“With the Eighty-Nine Arcane Art and the Dao methods you teach, Shixiong, Yang Jian's future achievements will be immeasurable,” Li Changshou said. “But the great calamity is imminent, and we can't wait too long.

Yang Jian is already in the calamity by joining Chan Jiao. If he receives a Heavenly Court appointment before the calamity fully erupts, it will be logical, reasonable, and help him avoid disaster.”

Yu Ding Zhenren said slowly, “I understand what you mean, Changgeng. I won't mention his background to him later.”

Taiyi Zhenren muttered, “How does it feel like you've taken all the moral high ground?”

“Reason follows the Dao, and the Dao upholds virtue,” Li Changshou replied calmly. “Since I haven't lacked in virtue, it's natural that Taiyi Shixiong feels I've taken the high ground.”

Taiyi Zhenren scolded, “Hey, you're indirectly calling me lacking in virtue!”

“Ah, I recently visited the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk,” Li Changshou said, hands behind his back as he looked up at the sky. “It seems a certain seven-emotion incarnation is still dwelling on old matters and wants to come out for a walk.”

Taiyi Zhenren, who had been rolling up his sleeves, trembled at these words and quickly said, “You promised to help me share the karma for this!”

Yu Ding Zhenren showed a faint smile. Once Li Changshou and Taiyi Zhenren finished their verbal sparring, he invited them inside.

There, Li Changshou saw a small girl child sleeping deeply in the depths of the cave—it was naturally Yang Chan.

His heart stirred slightly, and Li Changshou advised,

“Yu Ding Shixiong, Yang Jian must value his sister immensely right now. While teaching Yang Jian, please pay more attention to Yang Chan as well.”

“I will certainly do so.”

Yu Ding Zhenren agreed, then showed a hint of helplessness as he said seriously,

“I know you have duties, Changgeng, and your considerations are deeper than ours.

No matter what, Yang Jian was just a child when the incident happened. If he says anything offensive in the future, please bear with him.

This scheme is intricate, and Yang Jian is ultimately just a pawn...”

“Don't worry, Shixiong,” Li Changshou smiled. “I'll do my best to protect Yang Jian!”

It had to be said, this Yu Ding Zhenren was truly a person worth befriending.

Taiyi Zhenren suddenly added, “By the way, in eighty or ninety years, there will be discussions at Zixiao Palace about the Investiture of the Gods. Do you have any inside information, Changgeng? I heard that for us in Chan Jiao, it's our eldest senior brother who will go with the teacher to Zixiao Palace.”

Li Changshou smiled slightly, about to throw out some vague hints, when his dao heart suddenly fluctuated. A familiar buzzing voice echoed in his mind.

Buzz—

“Water God, Water God!”

Wen Jing? Eighty years hadn't even passed—why the sudden buzz? Was there an emergency?

This concerned the project to build Xuan Du Shixiong's love triangle—cough, the matter of undermining the Western Teachings—Li Changshou didn't dare be careless. He instantly focused his mind and began handling two tasks at once.